Kona Orchid Society sets spring show and sale

Just in time for Mother’s Day, the Kona Orchid Society Spring Show and Sale is 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday inside and out at the Makaeo County Pavilion at the Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area.

Admission is $2 cash and includes a host of educational offerings.

Fun includes a display of blooming orchids by club members and a sale presenting a wide selection of healthy plants from Hawaii Island growers.

In addition to numerous orchid varieties, choose from cactus, succulents, air plants, bonsai, protea, fruit trees, exotic tropicals, water plants, herbs, vegetable starts and bedding plants. Jams, jellies, arts and crafts and high-fire functional stoneware will also be sold.

Four food vendors will be on site offering tasty local favorites, and free boxes will be available while supplies last to carry purchases.

Attendees are invited to talk story with growers and on-site master gardeners for tried-and-true growing tips.

Molly Murphy of Plant Pono presents an informative display covering invasive plant species and will guide attendees on the right “pono” planting choice for their landscape. Other educational offerings include a 10 a.m. discussion about fighting little red fire ants with Melody Euaparadorn of the University of Hawaii’s Hawaii Ant Lab, an 11 a.m. demonstration of the basics of plant culture and repotting orchids with orchidist Orchidist Keith Kaufman, and at noon Phoenicia Zeller delves into landscaping with orchids and answers questions.

The Kona Orchid Soceity is a nonprofit organization.

Its members include individual hobbyists and commercial growers who usually meet 6 p.m. on the first Friday of the month at the Makua Lani Academy Bridge House.

For information, visit www.konaorchidsociety.org.